Solar celebration for Milverton

The Leamington school has had 24 photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roof - and even in the coldest weather pupils can see how much energy the panels are making on a meter inside.

Headteacher Ben Wilde said the panels could generate up to 3,240 kWh of electricity a year, saving about £1,800 in bills and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,840 tonnes.

He said: “It’s important to be educating the children about sustainability and how they can make a difference by reducing our carbon footprint.”

The school already recycles its paper and composts its waste. Mr Wilde said it had recently set up a group of ‘energy rangers’ - pupils who would work with representatives from the National Grid to reduce the school’s energy use.

The panels, which cost £20,000, and 98 per cent of the cost was paid for using grants from the Carbon Buildings Programme and the Big Lottery Awards for All fund.